The Maiden Way or Maidenway (Middle English: Maydengathe;
Medieval Latin: Via Puellarum) was a roughly 20-mile (32 km)
Roman road in northern Britain connecting Bravoniacum (Kirkby Thore)
with Magnae (Carvoran). It was sometimes considered to have run east
along Stanegate to Banna, then 7 miles (11 km) north to the
Shrine of Cocidius (Bewcastle), and thence to Liddesdale[1][2] but the
identity of this course as a single road is problematic.[3]
In 2016, it was reported that investigations using LIDAR technology by
the Environment agency for the purposes of flood mapping and other
environmental management were providing data showing the existence of
underground archaeological features including Roman roads. This
included a continuation of the Maiden Way southwards from Kirkby Thore
to the Roman fort at Low Borrowbridge near Tebay.[4]
Bravoniacum was a waypoint on the northern leg of the Roman-era
Watling Street connecting Luguvalium (Carlisle) with Eboracum (York)
and points south. Magnae was one of the waypoints on the Stanegate
beside Hadrian's Wall. As such, the Maiden Way served as a shortcut
for supplying the central and eastern areas of the Wall. It also
provided supplies to the lead and silver mines near Epiacum (Whitley
Castle).[5]
Following the End of Roman rule in Britain, it was used as a drovers'
road.[2] The route was probably named for the "Maiden Castle"[6]
guarding the pass at Verterae (Brough).[7]
The Pennine Way footpath follows the line of the Maiden Way for
several miles on a roughly north-south route across Lambley Common in
Northumberland, above the west bank of the river South Tyne.
Immediately north of this stretch, a modern minor road follows the
line of the Maiden Way for several miles to the west of Featherstone
Castle.
See also[edit]